Sports stats



IL1 Buffalo Bisons

#GetInspired: Danny Barnes Storming His Way to the Major

September 1, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Buffalo Bisons News Release


They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

For many injury-plagued careers, the expression has no merit. For Danny Barnes, the saying has taken a tangible form into what has become the most exciting summer of his life.

Drafted in the 35th round, no one was expecting much of the man from Manhasset, NY. After a rotator cuff injury derailed his 2013 and 2014 seasons, Barnes had practically fallen outside the Blue Jays' radar all together. It was a time that made the reliever wonder if he would ever take the mound again.

"Physically it was tough. Coming back from surgery, especially shoulder surgery, is not fun. There was a lot of days where I thought it wouldn't get better because it was a struggle just to throw 60 feet," says Barnes, who now appreciates the resolve his torn shoulder built into him.

"I think that mentally and mechanically it helped me find some things that helped me get to where I am now. So I think it ended up being a good thing."

The compact righty managed to throw 60.2 innings as he battled back in 2015. But that was still more than five frames shy of where he was four years earlier. Coming into this season, Barnes knew he had to put it all on the line.

"I knew I was going to be a free agent this year. I really just wanted to put together a solid year so I could keep playing next year. I guess so far it's all worked out," No. 16 chuckles.

"There was a bit of pressure, but I feel like that's with any job. You can't let that be the main thing though, you've got to go out there and try to have fun. Yes it's busy and it's very hard, but in the end it's a game and not a lot of people get to do it. So I just tried to appreciate the fact that I'd had six years previous to this that I was able to play. I've just tried to go out there and have fun this year."

Barnes quickly lit up the 2016 Double-A circuit. In 35.2 innings with New Hampshire, he struck out 40 batters and only walked four, leading to an impressive 1.01 earned run average. Hitting the hill for the Herd, the 26-year-old cut his ERA to a mere 0.35, punching out an astounding 42 per cent of opponents headed his way.

"I think mainly it's just been my fastball command. I actually think I might have been throwing it harder last year. It had more velocity but I was just focused on trying to throw it hard. This year I've just been more relaxed and throwing free and easy," describes Barnes with his right hand motioning next to his head.

"I'm focused more on hitting a spot rather than trying to hump up on everything. I think that's made it easier for me to get ahead of hitters and put them away."

While it hasn't been easy for the Blue Jays' bullpen to put away lefties this season, Barnes has created some of the most incredible reverse splits ever seen. With Barnes on the bump for Buffalo, left-handed hitters are batting a meager .024 while whiffing 20 times in 42 at-bats- a stat the scruffy sorcerer says he can't explain.

"I have no idea why that is. I don't know if I've been trying to do anything extra. It's just ended up working out that way."

With a Toronto's bullpen worn down in Houston to start the month of August, Barnes hard work finally paid off.

"We had the off day on the day of the trade deadline and I just spent the day hanging out. I went to sleep and got a call around 1:30 a.m. I barely heard it. I almost kept sleeping," says the 2010 draft pick, before spouting out a half-serious-half-joking, rather succinct sentence.

"That would've been bad."

Unable to sleep, Barnes decided it was best to wake those that meant the most to him. But like the first six years of his pro career, things took longer than he had hoped.

"I called my parents first. But it took me about six tries for them to pick up the phone because it was about 2 a.m. They were all excited. Then I called my college coach and my high school coach and a bunch of other people I'm close with. I'll never forget that night, it was pretty crazy."

A matter of hours away from what would be his big-league debut, Barnes challenge wasn't about to get any easier.

"I didn't sleep the rest of the night. Then I had an 8 a.m. flight the next morning to Houston with a layover in Charlotte. They actually lost one of my bags so that just added some more stress to that."

Some people might let the unnecessary hurdles hurt their mental acuity, but looking back on his first trip out to a major-league mound, the man with the mind that earned a four-year degree, feels it may have all been for the best.

"I was really nervous but I was just so tired from all the travel and not sleeping. I think now that was good because I couldn't get too hyped up for my debut. Especially in a one-run game, that was also crazy."

Entering the fray for the first time and tasked with holding a 2-1 lead to start the eighth inning, Barnes toed the rubber against the top of the Astro's lineup.

"Every outing you have you can tell how your stuff is going to play that day. You can tell in just a few pitches - if they're fouling off your fastball or they're not really seeing it well. I faced Springer in my first at-bat and you could he was a little late on my fastball so that was a big confidence boost. Getting him to pop out to short was just huge."

How can a debut become bigger than huge? Perhaps by striking out the next two batters. Barnes grins when he recalls going back to the dugout to high-five his newest teammates.

"I wasn't thinking about the strikeouts at all. I was just happy I didn't blow the game."

The well-spoken slinger fanned five over five frames while up with the Blue Jays.

Now working again in Western New York, Barnes inspiration isn't just to be a big-leaguer. He wakes up with an ideology every day that can be appreciated by all.

"It may sound corny or cliché but there's a lot of truth to it. I'm just trying to be better - be my best self every day and be better than the day before. That's pretty much it. If I wasn't playing baseball, I'd still try to do that," nods Barnes with blue eyes blazing from under his bill.

"I think it's a nice ideal to strive for."

Armed with a mid-90's fastball and the knowledge that he can compete in the majors, Barnes still says his expectations moving forward haven't changed since the first day of spring training.

"I guess it's not that different. I'm just trying to be consistent with my mechanics. I'm not trying to find a new pitch or new approach, it's just a matter of trying to get myself right both mentally and physically so that I can have consistent results every day."

Perhaps what has changed is a well-earned confidence in his own ability.

"If I can do that for the next however long, I think I'll be able to have a pretty good major-league career."

Check out the Buffalo Bisons Statistics



International League Stories from September 1, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central